Mamelodi Sundowns remain unbeaten in the continental competition after an Iqraam Rayners goal sealed the win at home over Raja Casablanca.
Matchday three of the Caf Champions League saw Mamelodi Sundowns edge Raja Casablanca in a tightly contested encounter at Loftus Versfeld Stadium.
On a scorching Sunday afternoon, newly appointed coach Miguel Cardoso made his debut in the dugout, ringing three changes to the starting XI from the previous clash in Morocco, with Devine Lunga, Sphelele Mkhulise, and Neo Maema earning starting berths.
The match kicked off with intensity, but both sides found opportunities hard to come by. Raja Casablanca had the first opening in the 19th minute through Adam Ennafati, but Sundowns’ defence dealt with the threat calmly. Lucas Ribeiro came close for the home side in the 26th minute, only to be denied by a perfectly timed tackle from Abdellah Khafifi, who was injured in the process and had to be substituted.
Sundowns grew more assertive in their attack, with Ribeiro and Malibongwe Khoza coming close, while skipper Ronwen Williams kept the visitors at bay with a fine save late in the first half.
Despite sustained pressure from Sundowns, the first half ended goalless, with neither side managing a clear breakthrough. Cardoso’s intentions for the second half were clear, introducing Kutlwano Letlhaku for Sphelele Mkhulise and later adding Peter Shalulile for more attacking firepower. Marcelo Allende tested Anas Zniti with a long-range effort, while Khoza narrowly missed a headed opportunity.
The decisive moment came in the 65th minute when Iqraam Rayners, in red-hot form, scored the only goal of the game. Rayners latched onto a clever pass from Letlhaku and slotted home, sealing a well-deserved victory for the Brazilians. Raja Casablanca threatened on the counter, but Sundowns held firm to claim all three points, moving to second place in Group B with five points from three matches.
After an intense game with few real opportunities created by either side, one standout performer was 20-year-old Khoza. The defender continued his impressive rise in the Brazilians’ defense, showcasing calmness on the ball, exceptional game-reading ability, and phenomenal passing accuracy. He matures with every game, playing as if he has been part of the team for several seasons.
Raja and their technical team emerged as the biggest losers due to their overly defensive approach, showing little ambition to take the game to Sundowns.
Their primary tactic was to sit back and absorb pressure, failing to entertain or challenge their opponents offensively.
The team’s frequent time-wasting and constant complaints to the referee disrupted the flow of the game, further underlining their lack of intent.
It was only after falling behind to Iqraam Rayners’ goal that they showed any urgency, exposing their inability to control the match when it mattered most. By relying solely on damage control until Sundowns broke the deadlock, Raja demonstrated a reactive mentality unbecoming of a team with their reputation.
The next assignment for Sundowns is the PSL as they prepare to face Stellenbosch. The Brazilians aim to maintain their lead at the top of the table, where they currently sit as log leaders. Having completed matchday three of their African safari in Group B, the focus temporarily shifts back to domestic football. Sundowns still have two crucial away fixtures in the Champions League group stage.
They will travel to the Democratic Republic of Congo and Morocco before concluding their group stage campaign at home against AS FAR. The team is determined to juggle both competitions effectively and maintain their strong form.
